Tanzania: reviews from our travellers

"Our trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar was our first to the african continent and I can truly say that we have come back with some incredible memories- of friendly people, endearing culture, breathtaking scenery and amazing wildlife.

Our experience surpassed all expectations and the variety of locations and accommodation made this the trip of a lifetime. Thank you to all at Expert Africa, especially Claire, for helping to make the holiday so special. (and so easy!)

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The service was so efficient that we really can't think of anything that might improve it." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Very well put together itinery and we were impressed by the precise puntuality of those meeting us and delivering us at various places.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We found out latterly that it is possible to go onto BA website just before 24hours before take off and purchase (if there is room) greatly reduced upgrades to Premium Class, which we would have like to have been told." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Bottom line we enjoyed our trip a great deal and thought it was money well spent. Our guides Eric, Emmanuel and Jackson and their vehicles provided us opportunities that may not have been present if we were sharing vehicle or along with a group. The (3) gentlemen were very professional with a sincere interest in our well being and happiness. The lodges and camp were comfortable and had great staffs.

A few notes of what was not, it was not hot, there was not a lot of bugs, there was no traveler sickness, there were no bad meals, there were no cold showers, there was not dry/brown surroundings, there was no concern for safety.

Thanks again for all your help with our trip and we will recommend your services to our friends and family. Someday we hope to visit Africa again and have so many wonderful memories from this trip. Happy New Year to you and your staff.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Our transfer from Olakira Camp (Serengeti) to Rhino Lodge (Ngorongoro Crater) was a full morning and we did not arrive until after 2:00 pm which was past lunch serving period. The Rhino Lodge kitchen staff really went out of their way to get us a hot lunch and it was very good. It may have been better for Olakira to send us off with a box lunch?

Either way, Pam and I were not concerned and the meal was worth the wait. We just hoped we did not put the kitchen in a distressful position." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall, a good combination 5 Nights in Ruaha and 4 Nights on Mafia. Would definately consider going back to Ruaha at another time to see it in the dry season.

My generic comment about the trip was Ellie at Expert Africa. She provided excellent advice, information, suggested itinaries, alternative and answered a number of silly questions. In fact when BA cancelled our flight back from Dar es Salaam, she even contacted us to see if BA were sorting it out and we were being looking after. we then had a number of text (SMS) exchanges as she check status, etc.

Apart for the BA issues above, everything worked out exactly as planned, being met and escorted between each transfer point.

I would definately consider using Expert Africa again (especially Ellie) and no hesitation recommending to friends, etc.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I would recommend reviewing you entries for Kwihala as the basis for the camp seems to be changing. In particular I understand it will no longer move and that the Bucket showers will be replaced by a normal shower.

The brochure, made me think where we might go, the web site help narrow down the options and Ellie provide the detailed knowledge and advice to finalist the trip including quotations. All elements were intrical and the speedy, informative response of Ellie was a key factor in choosing to book with Expert Africa. I did contact 3 providers with my initial ideas and Ellie initial response was by far the best." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"We really enjoyed the trip and having already climbed Kilimanjaro we certainly saw everything that is good about Tanzania and being able to combine the mountain regions, safari experience and the beaches of Zanzibar was brilliant." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zanzibar holiday

"This was the holiday of a lifetime, everything ran smoothly and the organisation of the whole trip was very good.

We are quite widely travelled and rarely return to the same place but we would certainly return to Tanzania and Zanzibar with Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Everything went so smoothly I really can't add anything at all." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"The combination of Safari, Ras mbisi on Mafia , Ras Kutani and coastal /precision flights alongside me booking Kilwa and the Old Boma in Mikindani meant we had a perfect mix of wildlife, relaxing, adventure and luxury!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Try to branch out on totally safe resorts. The ras Kutani 's of this world whilst definitely luxury sometimes feel like you are in a western bubble. Obviously you are appealing to clients who want this on the whole but it seems that some of the less well trodden paths would benefit from excellent travel agents.

I thought Expert Africa provided a reassuring and knowledgeable guide whilst arranging our trip. Thank you." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall trip was excellent.

Help/advice given by Claire beforehand was also excellent and the detail on the website very accurate.

Fishermans Tours were always on time and the vehicles in good condition but we felt that they drove too fast most of the time.

We used Eco + Culture for 2 tours whilst in Zanzibar- both were very good. Guide was fantastic." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday

"When on the ground everything went extremely smoothly and the itinerary was so well planned that we didn't have any gaps of time waiting for transfers. We also felt confident that everything had been taken care of because the Expert Africa team seemed to know exactly what they are doing.

We felt that Ellie had gone out of her way to make sure that the holiday was as good as it could be. When we were planning the itinerary she could provide good insights into the each of the places we were thinking of going to and appeared to know them well.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

If you had been able to handle purchase of the British Airways tickets using part air-miles then we would have preferred to book these through Expert Africa.

Otherwise, it was hard to improve upon!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"We have been on a few safaris in various African Countries and without a doubt this was the best we have done.
From the initial enquiry to Claire, through to the very efficient transfers from airports to camps. It was very well organised. Thank you.

All 3 camps came up to our expectations because you had given us all the correct and relevant information.

The wildlife watching, which was principally our aim, was very very good in Selous. Obviously in Ruaha a lot of the large game had gone to find the earlier rain in the hills, but we saw so much more variety because of the rain.

So, a very big thank you to Expert Africa. We will hopefully be back for more safari experiences (when we have saved up again !!!)" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari